Mumbai: The Maharashtra state education department has proposed November 23 as the date of reopening schools for classes IX to XII, according to a report in The Times of India. The schools have been shut since March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The chief minister’s office is yet to clear a revised standard operating procedure and a proposal for reopening of schools. However, the majority of schools may not reopen classroom education barring laboratory work, the report mentioned.
“Schools will have to take written consent from parents. But students’ grades won’t depend on their attendance, and online learning will continue,” school education minister Varsha Gaikwad was quoted as saying by the national daily.
Even if the schools reopen, classrooms may be divided or shifts introduced when schools reopen. The schools though are expected to adopt a wait-and-watch policy despite the state government giving green signal to start classes on November 23.
“We have a plan in place for the reopening but the online learning for higher classes has also streamlined over the past months. We might want to call students only for science practicals and assessments. The teachers will stay connected from the school so that any student who doesn’t come to class can also learn from home,” Principal, HVB Global Academy, Marine Drive, Chandrakanta Pathak was quoted by the paper.
Others too were not in favour of embracing the back-to-school suggestion. “The government has provided nothing to help us build infrastructure to ensure the requirements can be followed. Budget schools don’t have funds to do this on their own either,” Mumbai Principals’ Association president Prashant Redij said.
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